Top Santa Cruz Nature and Wildlife Tours

Saddle up for a thrilling 2-hour horseback riding adventure from Playa Flamingo and soak up the scenery from the back of a beautiful horse! Look out for Howler monkeys, iguanas, magpie blue jay and parakeets as you amble along rainforest trails or let loose with a gallop along the beach. Best of all: there are a range of horses and trails suitable for all levels, from complete beginners to experienced riders.

Discover Costa Rica’s wild side with an adrenaline-fuelled ATV tour and canopy tour from Tamarindo. Once you’ve learned to drive your ATV, follow your guide on an exhilarating cross-country route, zipping along rainforest trails, mountain passes and muddy rivers. Then, arrive at the canopy tour and strap on your harness for a Tarzan-inspired experience, zip-lining through the rainforest.

Explore a jungle river that flows alongside Palo Verde National park with a 5-hour wildlife tour and riverboat cruise from Tamarindo. Watch for crocodiles, iguanas, monkeys and dozens of birds as you navigate the slow-moving Tempisque River, spend two hours on the water spotting animals in their natural habitats, then come to shore for a traditional Costa Rican lunch. Learn the history of this once-bustling river that’s among the region’s most important bird sanctuaries, and finish your day with a return transfer to Tamarindo.

Swap the glittering Pacific waters of Playa Flamingo for the wild waters of the Tempisque River on this half-day tour of the Palo Verde National Park. Hop on-board a riverboat for a 2-hour cruise through the scenic wetlands and sprawling dry forests of Palo Verde. Along the way, keep a lookout for native wildlife, from crocodiles and iguanas lazing on the riverbanks, to monkeys and colorful birds flitting through the treetops.

Zip along forest trails, splash through muddy streams and climb along the coastal cliffs on this adrenaline-fuelled quad biking tour from Flamingo Beach. Learn how to operate your ATV, then venture off-road on a thrilling 2-hour tour and discover the hidden landscapes of the Golden Coast. Follow your guide through the dry forest, looking out for howler monkeys, iguanas and birds along the way, then reach the coast and soak up incredible views over Tamarindo, Conchal, Brasilito, Flamingo and Potrero beaches.

Follow a professional team of captains and first mates into the open water where you'll have a chance to fly fish on this catch and release sport fishing tour. Make your way to Flamingo Beach, one of the area's top fishing attractions, then venture further afield, where water depths increase from 360 to 2000 feet. Fish for pacific sailfish, striped marlin, yellowfin and bigeye tuna on this fun-filled half-day on the water. 

Get a taste for adventure on this one-day tour that includes some of Costa Rica's top natural attractions. Ride horses over mountain passes and across open plains, and take in iconic views of Guanacaste's Pacific coastline and the Rincón de la Vieja Volcano. Then soar high above the rainforest canopy on a thrilling zipline tour that includes ten cables and waterfall views. After a day of excitement relax with a soak in natural hot springs before returning to your hotel.

Go underground in Costa Rica on a caving adventure at Barra Honda National Park. Using special spelunking equipment, descend deep into a pair of caves formed 60 million years ago and filled with fascinating rock formations. Back in the light of day, look for wildlife including capuchin monkeys as you hike through the forest, and recharge with a delicious Costa Rican lunch.